Will Ferrell pretends to be Tom Hanks at Hammer Museum gala

The event: The Hammer Museum’s “Gala in the Garden” on Saturday night honoring playwright-screenwriter Tony Kushner and artist Robert Gober with tributes by Viola Davis of “The Help” and artist Charles Ray.

The scene: Capped by a performance by k.d. lang, formal ceremonies began as Will Ferrell took the stage alongside Rita Wilson, introducing himself as her husband, Tom Hanks. As Wilson welcomed the crowd, thanking supporters and talking of her love of the Westwood museum, Ferrell — still purporting to be Hanks — touted Hanks' new film, “Captain Phillips,” at every opportunity and told Wilson, “I think we should talk about how we never kiss in public anymore.” And so, to loud cheers, the two kissed.

The setting: Guests sipped cocktails on the balcony, stopping into the galleries to survey the new exhibitions before adjourning to the courtyard, illuminated for dinner with hundreds of white candles and strands of amber light bulbs crisscrossing beneath the open sky.

Quotes of note: “Joseph Campbell said it’s privilege of a lifetime to be who you are,” Davis said after ascending to the podium barefoot. “So I’m going to be who I am, and I’m going to take my shoes off.”

On accepting his award, Kushner — a Pulitzer and Emmy winner and Oscar nominee — said, “It’s so nice to fly to Los Angeles for an award I’m 100% certain I’m going to win.”

The final score: Museum director Ann Philbin announced proceeds of $2 million, owing to tickets priced at $1,500 and tables ranging upward to $75,000.